Wrecking-truck.



Jatentd MDV. 10, 19M.

J'. EGAN,

WI LGKING TRUCK APPLICATION FILED JUNE 4, 1913.

"au auxiliar)7 running fear JAMES EGAN, OTE CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

nir iii lilillil pecllcatlon of Letters Patent.

lllatenlietl Noiz im, iltlfli.,

implication fdc-d lane t 193.3. Serial No. 771,576.

To all 'wlw/71, 'it may conce/mf:

lle it known that l, Jaim-1i; Ream a citin zon of the United States and a resident o'lz the city of Chica( i. in the (.:ountjyv oi' (look and State of llliuois, hare invented eerH tain new and use/:ful lzuliu-oreiiientsi in liVreeli'inglruola; and l do hereliyv deelarerv that the following a full, elear, and omet description ol the, mule. reference heilig had to 'the aeeoiui:auyiugril` drawings, and to the numerals of reference uiarlied thereon, which iforin a part o'l this; aperilieation.

flan adequate wrecking device adapted to travel over the liiglirwayo4 has heen a practical necessity with the reeent wide and oxn terisive use of autoinohiles. llereto'fore, iu the event of an accident to au autoinohile, causing a whole o; partial demolition oi the running' gear, the Wreelied vehiele haal usw ally been mounted upon skids and dragged to a convenient place 'lor repair or the disahled .'ehiele ifi souutiuieri hauled hodiligv onto a wagon hy iuoaiui olI a windlasaj and then oarted to any place desired. lin either raise, such removal oil the \\'reelied vehtele,

requires a `great loss ol' time, and iu many rases suoli tti/'pe ol \\'aiou.--: are not arailzihle This iuvei'itiou rilates to a sellpropelled wrecking' derivey adapted to rai-ry therewith adapted to reeeire prart'erlly any' tri/e ol'I i'ehiele upon :auch running gijear u'hereluj aid rehirle may' he rapidli7 trauslerrerl lo a place of repair in tow of the eelt-propelled rvr-whine means.

is; au object ol' this imention to prix Vide a wreeli'iiig@` devil-e equipped willi sluit ali'le elevatingn nierhaulsui and provided with an auxiliary ruiming;` rear he attached beneath either oud oi vehicle.

lt is also an ohjert ol' this: iureiitioii to provide an elevating uieehauiain lor a deviee or the elasa deerrihed wherein Surl: ell vatingg iiieehaniein may he. auilahly hraeed hy adjustable meaux` eeutarliuglI the ground but limited in its; movement and sfuyed in a lapted to a u'rtwhed position hy a chain or rahle eonuerted to` tho frame of 'the u'reeliiugij device.

llt is also an olijeet of this iureutiou to provide a deviee equipped with elevating` mechanism and auxiliar?.Y running adapted to he placed beneath a ufr Vehicle, and means-for suitahlj-,fl eonneirtii said 'runiiiiigl gear lo the disabled .'ehioe and t0 the wrecking vehiele to proilerly tow the wrecked voliiele to a, place of repair.

ltf'i: also au object of this,l invention to prfiirido in combination with a wrecking vehicle, an auxiliary running; gear which may he connected thereto hy means o a drau'har7 either rigidly connected to the auxiliary running` gear or pivotally con ueeted"therewith to steer the wheelo thereof.

lt ia also an ohjeet ol this invention, to provide a seht-propelled wreckingY device equipped with a pivotally mounted ii-frame adaptelil to he hraeed at its hase by suitable detachable means; adapted to hear against the ground, well as a chain or cable or other means Connected to the 'lraiue of the vehicle,

lt ia also ai; ohjeet of this .invention to uwe iu connection with a sellpropelled wref-king 'rehiele7 a pluralitj7 ol" auxiliary running` gears adapted to he ijzouueeted he,- ueath, either or hoth ends ol a wreelfelfl Yehiele, and a pluralit'if'ol dra wharf idaplied to he connected to the reched vehicle and to one o'f Said auxiliary running @harm and to the vvroeling vehicle to tow the wrecked vehicle to a place of repair.

.lt also au ohjeet olY this iiiventnn to pro\ ide a drawhar which may be pivotally connected to an auxiliary running g ai.' to auitahly stir-er the saine in towing, and means i'or rigidly eonneeting said drawhar to said running `fear il desired.

lt ra Vurtheruiore an object olE th lili. l

, to a place dei-tired in a short space o time.

'lhe invention (in a preferred forni) is illustrated iu the drawiiigfsA and heroii'ial'ter more linllly described.

lin the drawings: Figure il. a side elevation, of a Wrecking' `vehicle towing" a di:saliled automobil@ the rear end of the latter being' mounted upon an auxiliary running gear `provided by the towing vehicle, and the l axle oli the automobile connected to i 'awhar pivoted on. the towing vehicle.

l is a side elevation illustrating in dotted lines an automobile with the front wheels disabled, and With the elevating mechanism o"the wrecking vehicle connected thereto' to raise' the same in the position shown in fulllinesV for the insertion of an auxiliary running gear therebeneath. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view ofthe auxiliary running gear for the front yand rear end of a wrecked vehicle, and the relation thereto of the' elevating mechanism for lifting the wrecked vehicle upon said auxiliary running gear. Fig. 4 is a central ylongitudinal section taken through the front axle of the auxiliary running gear. Fig. 5 is a similar section taken through the axle ofA the rear auxiliary running ear. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional etail illustrating'U-bolt means for connecting a draw'bar to the front axle of a disabled vehicle. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional detail illustrating the means of rigidly looking a pivotally connected'drawbar to the axle o an auxiliary running gear. Fig. 8 is a front elevation illustrating theadjustable support for the base of the A-frame elevating mechanism. Fig. 9 is a detail of the bracket for the drawbarvon the rear of the Wrecking vehicle.

,f As shown in the drawings: The reference Y numeral 1, indicates a self-propelled vehicle,

although not necessarily so, across the side sill frame members 2, of which is rigidly bolted or otherwise secured a transverse anchor member 3, through which extends a bolt 4. An A-frame boom 5, is pivotally mounted in any suitable manner atthe rear of the Wrecking vehicle upon a transversev shaft 6, the extremities of which, as shown in Fig. 3, extend outwardly beyond the body of the Wrecking' vehicle to receive detachably thereon adjustable supporting legs Which comprise a journal member 7, provided rwith a set screw 8, adapted to be slipped over the extended ends of the transversefshaft 6, as shown in Figs. 2 and 8, respectively.

Threaded into angular extensions of said journal member 7, are pipe or tube members 9, which at their lower ends receive therein the threaded spurs 10. A nut 11, is threaded upon' each of said spurs 10, for the purpose of extending the same, into an adjusted position, the nut bearing against 4the lowerl end of said tube members 9. The top of the A-frame boom 5, is connected to said bolt il, by .means of a` fiexible cable or chain 12, which may -be adjustable to limit the out- 'Ward movement of said A-frame boom 5, about its pivot shaft 6, but for convenience of illustration such adjusting means has been omitted, as obviously any conventional type of pawl and ratchet governed windlass mec ianism `may be used for the purpose.

A block and tackle 13, and 1li, is swung from. the upper end or said A-frame boom 5, for the purpose of attachment to either end of the disabled automobile to raise said ner except that tapered axle stud shafts respective end from the ground for a puiposev hereinafter described. Conveniently mounted beneath the frame of said Wrecking vehicle 1, at the rear thereof, is a bracket 15, which is apertured to receive there-Y through a king bolt 16a, whereby a drawbar may be pivotally connected thereto. The purpose of elevatingone or both ends of a disabled vehicle as the case may be is to permit insertion therebeneath of an auxiliary running gear, an independent gear being provided for each end of the vehicle, de- A pending upon Whether or not both the front and rear Wheels of the same are out of commission.

The auxiliary running gear for the front end of the disabled vehicle comprises an in, -verted channel 16, having a timber 17, litted therewithin and centrally apertured to receive the bolt 18, and taper pin 19, therethrough and through a dravvbar provided with suitable apertures to register therewith. As shown, the drawbar rests upon the upper portion of said inverted channel 16, so that if desired a retaining nut such as B, shown u on the bolt 16, in Fig. 9, may be dispensed with, gravity serving to maintain the axle land drawbar suitably connected by means of said bolt and taper pin. The purpose of providing the taper pin 19 is to preventipivotal movement of the drawbar relative the axle, if desired.

Bolted in the ends of the axle a'orded by said member 16, and 17 are steering knuckle brackets, and connected on the bolts securing the same to said axle members is a truss rod 21, thus aording a very substantial axle construction capable of supportingI at weight. The axle for the rear auxi running gear is constructed in a ,like mln- 22 are bolted in the ends ofthe axle in plwe'of the steering knuckle brackets. Each of said axles is of a length to afford a wheel ge greater than the ordinary type of stan lrd construction in order, if necessary, to cradle the end of the disabled vehicle upon Lthe ,auxiliary axle, without necessitating the removal of the broken parts. i

A plurality of draWbars are provided tblt serve in connection with the auxiliar running gears, one being denoted by a re erence numeral 28, for-towingthe automobile when the front running gear is demolished, and the rear gear practically uninjured. An-

a plurality of apertures to receive therein'a U-member 25, which extends around and over the regular automobile axle 26, to bind the drawbar rigidly thereto. The drawbar 23, used in connection with the front auxiliary axle of the running gear, has connected other towing drawbar 24, is provided having thereto the rods 27, of the steering mechanism, such that when the pivotal construetion betweensaid drawbar and axle is used aI turning movement ol the Wrecking 'vehicle ahead of the vehicle being towed, will euuee a movementof the steering knuckle to turn the wheels on the aille., thus einibling; zi sluu't turn to be made, which gii-ultly facilitates the towing.

l third druwlour Elf; provided to eoiuneet the front oud Veur running gears together when both the. front and reur Wheels of the automobile are damaged und in this oase the towing druwbur 23 is used with the pivotal connection already described.

The operation is as lollows: is shown in Figs. l and 2, the disabled automobile is denoted by the reference numeral 2G, und, as shown in Fig. l, the rem: running geur ol the same has been demolished, und nnuuxib iary gear substituted. therefor, eleifution of the rear end of the automobile for .su-eli puo pose having been eli'eeted by meune oi' the elevating ineoliuniom on the Wrecking V0- hiele already described. The drewbur 24., is shown connected between the. front axle oi the automobile, and the rear of the Wrecking Vehicle, whereby the saine muy be easily towed to u place of repair. ln Fig. if), the dotted line position represents :in autoinobile with `the front running geur thereof de molished und the elevzitng meelmniein upon the Wrecking vehicle in operation to raise the automobile into the position sllownin Alull lines in the aforesaid ligure. llfhen the :1utomobile has been elevated to the proper height, the auxiliary iront running' gear, which is shown rolled beneath the your enel of the Wreeliii vehicle? this being a eooveulent position 'for the same during the Vetion of the front end ol the disabled eustomobile, is then rolled outwardly beneath the front end oi' the disabled automobile. and the automobile lowered thereon. l'n this cese the pivotal. connection :for the druwbur 23, is used, suoli that the wheels of seid eux iliury liront running geel: may properly l'ol low the path of the Wrecking vehicle, as the disabled' automobile is towed.

'The drewber llfi li'igether with the towing drewber 23, :is used when the entire running ear olf the automobile has been injiu'eill und oth sets ol auxiliary ere need, illus affording a truol capable of beingr guided by the towing drewbar. lt obvious that when the elevating mechanism is in opera.- tion that the prineipul forces applied thereto are transferred und directed through the transverse pivotal shaft o, to the support ing links at euch extremity thereof". which bearing' lii'rnly upon the ground, entirely relieve the Wrecking velliele oil any sti-ese ezt-- cept that duo to the guy enble o1' chain '12. As shown in Fig. l9 the. elevating' mez-lui' nisrn When not in use muy be swung inwardly und forwarilly of the wrecking Ve hiele into o convenient position.

It is to be noted that the top surface of l l l l l l l .mit sziiil auxiliury l l l relatively let, thereby poi'inilliiil@u the dieI :ibled vehicle to be ees-ily supiuirlied thereon. und then oi course the Vehicle is bound thereto in any suitable manner with chains, en bles, or ropes to prevent accidentel fliepluei nient of t e auxiliary runniiw "een l om ovvero that 'various .etoile ol eou struction muy be Varied through wille range Witlioizt departing lroni the principles of this invention. l therefore do .not purpose limiting `the petei'it grunted other wise than necessitated by the prior zulz.

l eluiui ne iny invention:

l. ln device olf the Cluse described sel li-propelled fv'reeli'iii g Vehicle, en nulo' ii i running geni' normally towed nl; the reur of seid wrecking; vehicle, salici uuiiiliury ruinining gear dented lo be rolled from beneetli the Wr 'u y Vehicle to u poeitioii beneath u disabled. vehicle elevated. by seid Wreeli'ii, vehicle. and e pivo'tully mounted. drevlihor connectingr Suid running giur with the Wrecking vehiole.

ln n. device of the class described un overhunging wreelune.'l vehicle. 'lijont und rem. ulixiliury genis norn'iul l towed. :it 1 rem' ol suini overhunging vehiele ednritmi in be rolled 'from beneath seul, 'ufii.,\c-liiiug ireliicle into position beneuth u.

disabled hicle, iueuns eonnoctingr-1j euiil liront und reni' running genre. und :i piroliul .'-lleerillgg' oon-` ixection between said front running geur :lud suii'l wrecking .'eliielo 3. in :i device ol. the clues described the combination 'with u wrecking Veliiole olE :in nu; 'bury ruiming geur adepti-ufl. to be roll" 'l benenth i ilisubleil vehicle. ineens .seeur wi; Suid running goers to smid disabled Vehicle, u brui-liet mounted on the mile of seid, iur;- ning geur to bruce Viid axle, und u drei bui' pivotefi lo suini biucio t eounccliugfg' euiifl run* ning geur with said wrecking vehicle;

l. The @mobilization with u free-lling; i'ohiele, buying un ele-idlingmechanismmounted. thereon. of un uuXiliui-y `teur :uflulilefi lo he uor'uuilly towed' nl; the. reni' olI suiel u'ii'eoli-v ing vehicle., suid nuiiliury geur udupiecl to be iolleil to o posution beneuth nu ele ele-.il dieubled veluole, end. :nouns bonner ing' :sind

uuxilizirlif geur with liliedisl'iblefl reliielo :und willinsuid Wreeliing Jehu-le lo lou' l1lioi`, nier by.' the lutter.

l?. lu u device ol the el ill'sfuiluul wrecking vehicle. un uul'iluu-y eui', sul wrecking vehicle so constructed :is lo i geur to be dienmed und adopted lio be rolled. be-

e plv uuxil tliereluneulh ueuth :in elevated disabled vehicle und oli: l .steering connection between seid iury gen1' und suicl wrecking vehicle.

ll. lu u device oi' the oluss described u. hoisting` vehicle7 un auxiliary geur. seid. '\"elucle coustrlufted to permit said geur to be normally towed at the rear oli' the ilirunuj to lill be rolled into position beneath a disabled subscribed my neme in the presence of two Vehicle when the same is hoisted, and a pivsubscribing Witnesses. Otel drawbar connection between said hoisting vehicle and said running gear to steer 5 the latter to pelniiiI short turning of the o lVitnesses:

combined Vehicle and auxiliary gear. A CHARLES W. HILLS, JR.,

In testimony' whereof I have hereunto LEON M. REIBSTEIN.

JAMES EGAN. 

